Knicks 2022 NBA Draft: No. 11 pick prospect Dyson Daniels
By Nathan Smith
For years, the New York Knicks have been searching for a capable point guard to lead this squad. While many believe Immanuel Quickley can be the point guard of the future for this team, his ability to slot into the two-guard spot alongside a young PG could lead the Knicks to search for one of those in the draft.
There are plenty of capable point guards in the draft, but a lot of them would be a reach for this team at No. 11. One such player that wouldn’t be seen as that is Australia’s Dyson Daniels of the G League Ignite, who has an impressive 6’8” frame, which is perfect for what Tom Thibodeau is looking for.
He may not be the most polished player in the upcoming draft, but New York’s in a position where it can draft for upside and potential. If that is the case, then we may be looking at the newest and potential long-term answer for the Knicks at the point guard spot.
How does Dyson Daniels fit the current New York Knicks squad?
Daniels would fill an immediate need for this Knicks squad, and whether he takes the point guard spot from Quickley or is paired with him in the starting backcourt, Daniels would be a great fit for this team.
His length, IQ, and passing ability are his biggest strengths, and while he would certainly need to improve his scoring from beyond the arc, his game could translate well immediately to the NBA. He’s drawn comparisons to fellow Aussie, Josh Giddey.
At times, Daniels can play a bit too unselfishly, but with scoring all over the potential starting lineup of Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Obi Toppin, as well as bench scoring from Derrick Rose, Evan Fournier, Cam Reddish, and Quentin Grimes, he wouldn’t have to create for himself as much.
Dyson won’t be the first choice for the Knicks at pick No. 11, but if the front office envisions a starting lineup of Daniels/Quickley/Barrett/Toppin/a center (perhaps Mitchell Robinson, perhaps not), then he would certainly not be considered a reach at No. 11.
Will Dyson Daniels be available when the New York Knicks draft at No. 11?
Daniels is seen as one of the more intriguing prospects in the draft, as he may not immediately make a huge impact, but will have a high upside on both ends of the floor when he develops. Depending on who you believe, he could either be available at No. 11 or a team reaching on him may allow the likes of AJ Griffin, Johnny Davis, or Bennedict Mathurin to fall to the Knicks.
The top end of the draft and potential trades (some hopefully involving New York) will dictate what the Knicks do at No. 11, as well as their belief in Quickley as the point guard of the future. Ultimately, it’s more likely than not that Daniels will be available for New York if it stands firm at No. 11.
Will the New York Knicks draft Dyson Daniels if he is available at No. 11?
Like most players in our draft preview series, this all depends on who else is on the board. If the likes of Mathurin, Davis, and Griffin are off the board, then all attention from the Knicks could potentially turn to the young Australian point guard to be the floor general of the team going forward.
Daniels is going to be a dynamic player at the next level, and if he can develop a 3-point shot and work on getting to the free-throw line more, he could end up being an All-Star caliber player one day. But right now, if New York drafted him at No. 11, it could be somewhat of a risk.
Given all the young talent that the Knicks have right now, New York can afford to swing for potential upside. If the organization believes that Daniels fits their core and can lead the team, then there’s no reason for the Knicks to avoid him at No. 11, especially if their top targets are all off the board.
